Reward Offered In Maine Dogs' Shooting Deaths

The Humane Society of the United States

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting two family dogs and dumping their bodies near a power line trail in Hudson, Maine.

The Case:

Maine Animal Welfare District Humane Agent Chrissy Perry gives the following account: On April 1, Nick Pinkham reported his two dogs missing. After a month passed, Pinkham's two sons found the dogs dead near a power line, about one mile from a nearby road. The Maine Warden Service helped remove the dogs' bodies and take them for necropsies, which revealed the dogs died from gunshot wounds. A bullet fragment was removed from one of the dogs and taken to the Maine State Crime Lab for analysis. Maine State Police helped interview several area residents.

Animal Cruelty:

Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community. The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.

"Those who abuse animals can be dangerous to people," said Katie Lisnik, The HSUS' Maine state director. "Mainers have no tolerance for violence against animals. We hope someone will come forward to help close this case and bring closure for the dogs' family."

The Investigators:

Anyone with information is asked to call State of Maine Animal Welfare Program District Humane Agent Chrissy Perry at 287-3846 or 1-877-269-9200.

Resources:

The HSUS Animal Cruelty Campaign raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS offers rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty. To see our journalists' animal cruelty resource guide, which includes information on statistics, trends, laws and animal cruelty categories, go to: humanesociety.org/crueltyresources.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.